The Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts has successfully hosted a two-day African Gastronomy (AfroGastro) Festival, held on October 17 and 18 at the Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park in Accra.
The festival brought together 12 African Union (AU) member states and several countries from the African diaspora, making it one of the most vibrant cultural gatherings on the continent.
Participating countries included Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, Haiti, Brazil, Colombia, Peru, the United States, Mexico, the United Kingdom, France, Spain, the Netherlands, India, and Lebanon. The event also featured a special appearance by celebrated Ghanaian chef Faila Abdul Razak, who showcased her culinary expertise alongside other international chefs.
The AfroGastro Festival featured an exciting blend of food, music, dance, and art, creating a platform that celebrated Africa’s unity in diversity. Legendary musicians such as Gyedu-Blay Ambolley and Sherifa Gunu thrilled audiences with live performances that added rhythm and color to the event.
Speaking on the second day of the festival, Minister for Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, Abla Dzifa Gomashie, emphasised the power of food in uniting people and promoting Ghana’s rich cultural identity.
“Together we want to promote our agriculture, fashion, and music — and one platform we can use is food. There’s nowhere food is served that you don’t find music and people dressed well,” she said.
“Whether you speak Spanish, French, Ga, or Hausa, if the food is good, your tongue will tell you it’s good. Food serves as a bridge between people on the continent and across the world.”
The Minister further noted that traditional Ghanaian dishes have evolved to become national symbols of unity and identity.
“Banku and okra soup is no longer a Volta Region dish — it’s Ghanaian. Kenkey with fish is enjoyed across the country,” she stated.
The AfroGastro Festival forms part of the Black Star Experience, a broader initiative designed to position Ghana as a leading cultural tourism destination in Africa. According to the Ministry, the festival will not be a one-off event but a long-term cultural initiative aimed at strengthening Ghana’s global cultural influence.
